Rest & Receive: My Experience at a Yoga Retreat in Baja

As a mom of two active kids — each with a social calendar that rivals my own — my days often feel like a color-coded blur. Between running a business, managing school schedules, and remembering whose soccer cleats go where, the idea of truly resting feels foreign. So when I was invited to teach a Gut Health Workshop and join journalist and yoga instructor Sonia Azad for her Rest & Receive Retreat at Montevalle Resort & Spa in Baja’s Valle de Guadalupe, I said yes without hesitation.

Even though I’ve been practicing yoga since I was 17, I’ll admit — I was intimidated. Would this retreat mean hours of hot yoga that would leave me sore and depleted? Thankfully, it was the opposite. The pace was gentle, restorative, and nourishing — in every sense of the word.

Honored to share my Gut Health Workshop in Baja — guiding others to reconnect with their bodies and discover how true healing begins in the gut.

A Retreat That Invited True Rest

Montevalle sits nestled among the vineyards and hills of Mexico’s wine region, a serene escape surrounded by lavender fields, citrus trees, and mountain views. Each morning, I woke to sunlight spilling over the valley — and the gentle sound of donkeys, horses, and the friendly dogs who made their rounds at sunrise.

I slept close to nine hours a night, something I can’t remember doing in years. My Oura ring even tracked one of our Yoga Nidra sessions as a nap — and honestly, it wasn’t wrong. Between restorative yoga, journaling on the balcony, and meals made from Montevalle’s organic garden, my nervous system finally exhaled.

At home, life moves so quickly that I rarely pause long enough to process it. This stillness gave me space to reflect — on motherhood, on my path as a wellness practitioner, and on how my son somehow turns double digits in a few months. How did that happen?

Each morning began in quiet reflection, journaling while the sun rose over the mountains — a moment to slow down, breathe, and simply receive.

Rest, Reflection, and Release

Sonia guided us through several restorative yoga sessions that allowed both body and mind to unwind. She introduced us to Yoga Tune-Up Therapy Balls, which quickly became my favorite self-care tool. They offer all the benefits of a massage — no therapist required. (I plan to gift these, along with Sonia’s tutorials, to everyone I know this year.)

Each morning began with thoughtful journal prompts that encouraged introspection, connection, and self-compassion. In the evenings, we pulled Oracle cards to set intentions before yoga. Mine read Shapeshifter:

“I am living today as someone I had not become yesterday. And tonight I’ll only borrow pieces of who I am today to carry with me to tomorrow.” – Andrea Gibson

That message hit home. It honored my own evolution — as a woman, mother, and healer — and reminded me that transformation is fluid. Healing is never static.

The retreat offered space to slow down and reflect — time for morning reflections and quiet moments, guided by journal prompts, oracle cards, and meaningful conversations shared in the company of wise women.

The Magic of Shared Wisdom

Our group of women spanned nearly two decades in age, and the diversity of experience made every conversation richer. There’s something magical about what happens when women come together to grow — this retreat was no exception.

We laughed, cried, shared stories, and held space for one another. In those moments, I felt the true meaning of Rest & Receive: it’s not just about stillness, but about allowing ourselves to be supported — by others, by nature, and by the wisdom within.

Montevalle beautifully accommodated my gluten-free and dairy-free needs, crafting artfully plated dishes made from locally grown ingredients. Their 70/30 philosophy — 70% nourish, 30% indulge — was perfectly embodied in these waffles I happily devoured.

Montevalle’s Offerings

Montevalle offers a beautiful blend of amenities: a pool overlooking the valley, a basketball court, pickleball courts, a restaurant, a spa, and even a labyrinth — a walking meditation that became one of the highlights of my stay.

Walking the labyrinth as a group felt symbolic. No two of us could follow the same path, even if we tried. It was a powerful reminder that we may be inspired by another’s journey, but our own path is uniquely ours. We can always choose to change direction, adjust our steps, and find peace in the process.

When life moves too fast, we miss these lessons — the synchronicities that remind us we’re never truly alone. That quiet space allowed words like these to pour out during my morning coffee ritual:

Kissed by the morning light,
Basking in stillness, savoring each sip,
Stretching time to a snail’s pace.

Morning reflections — pen in hand, heart wide open.
I used to crave the rush.
Now I crave the calm.
I used to seek the city’s buzz.
Now I find peace in nature’s hum.

We’re allowed to change our minds
About what we want from life.
It’s our journey,
And no two are ever the same.

Perched above the Valle de Guadalupe, Montevalle’s restaurant offers sweeping mountain views and cuisine inspired by the land itself — featuring produce from its organic garden, honey from on-site hives, and lavender grown in the fields below.

Food, Wine, and “Wellness Light”

Montevalle’s menu follows a 70/30 philosophy — 70% wholesome, 30% indulgent — and they did an excellent job accommodating my gluten- and dairy-free needs. The meals were delicious and beautifully presented, though more indulgent than I’m used to (pancakes and waffles in one weekend!).

For anyone seeking a girls’ getaway with a touch of wellness — think yoga, wine, laughter, and a bit of spa pampering — Montevalle is ideal. If you’re looking for a deeper detox or reset, I’d recommend exploring a more focused retreat destination, like The Retreat Costa Rica, where I also had the privilege of teaching my Gut Health Workshop earlier this year.

Montevalle’s spa integrates modern technology with holistic healing, offering therapies such as Pulsed Electromagnetic Field Therapy, Ultraviolet Blood Irradiation (UVBI), Detox Rife Frequencies, Bio-Magnetic Therapy, Laser Therapy, Mag Ray Anti-Inflammatory Therapy, and more. (Note: Hyperbaric therapy availability varies; confirm before your stay.)

Final Thoughts

This experience reminded me that rest isn’t earned — it’s essential. As women, we often give so much that we forget to refill our own cups. This retreat offered me a chance to pause, breathe, and reconnect with my own rhythms.

I’ll definitely be joining another one of Sonia Azad’s retreats in the future — for more opportunities to reflect, move my body, and connect with other wise, inspiring women.

Because when we give ourselves permission to rest, we receive far more than we ever expected.

Swinging between rest and reflection — grateful for the stillness, connection, and clarity found in Baja. Until next time.

If you’d like to learn more about Sonia Azad’s upcoming retreats, visit her at Sonia-Azad.com or follow her on Instagram @soniaazadtv. Watch this video about our experience at the Rest & Receive Retreat at Montevalle Resort & Spa in Baja’s Valle de Guadalupe.